Browns-Patriots: Patriots very tough to beat in December

The Browns did not know for certain until Friday that Jason Campbell would be their starting quarterback against the Patriots today. The question is, how much difference can Campbell make against the best December NFL team of this millennium?
The Patriots are 46-6 in December since 2001 and are overwhelming favorites to make it 47-6 today. The second-best NFL team in that span is the Philadelphia Eagles at 37-16. So check this out: The Browns have won a total of 47 games dating back to the start of the 2005 season. That is a span of 140 games, in which the Browns are 47-93. Today could get ugly no matter who plays quarterback for the visitors.Key stats
The Patriots are 9-3, despite having a defense ranked 30th on third-down efficiency.
The Browns’ offense ranks 30th in third-down efficiency.Key matchup
Browns WR Josh Gordon vs. Patriots CB Aqib Talib: Talib, 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, will try to be physical with Gordon. Other cornerbacks have tried that, though, without success. Last week, the Jaguars sent Gordon to the locker room after knocking his helmet off. He returned and caught a pass for a 95-yard touchdown. The Patriots will learn how deceptively fast he is. He needs 41 yards receiving to break Braylon Edwards’ franchise single-season record of 1,289 receiving yards.Key to a Browns victory
The Patriots are not invincible. They just play as though they are. Opponents have scored 30 or more points four times in the last six weeks, so if somehow the defense can shut down the New England receivers, the Browns would have a chance. Teams have had success running on the Patriots. The Patriots are yielding 4.5 yards a carry. This is the time for Willis McGahee to have his best game of the year.Key to a Patriots victory
Staying interested might be the biggest challenge, though Bill Belichick will make sure that isn’t an issue. Safety T.J. Ward is 5-foot-10. Ward on 6-foot-6 tight end Rob Gronkowski is not a good matchup for the Browns. Gronkowski could run crossing patterns 10 yards past the line of scrimmage all day. Don’t be surprised if special teams coach Scott O’Brien has a trick up his sleeve.
Jeff Schudel’s prediction: Patriots 27, Browns 10